UF hazing involved paddling, 'thunderslaps,' police say

Friday

Feb 24, 2012 at 5:28 PM

Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity repeatedly struck and paddled pledges hard enough to cause bruises as part of an initiation into the UF chapter, according to a sworn complaint filed by university police.

By Nathan CrabbeStaff writer

Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity repeatedly struck and paddled pledges hard enough to cause bruises as part of an initiation into the University of Florida chapter, according to a sworn complaint filed by university police.The complaint alleges that between Jan. 22 and Feb. 1, fraternity members hit five pledges in the chest in a hazing ritual known as "thunderslaps" and also paddled them. One pledge was paddled hard enough that he couldn't sleep on his back for several nights, according to the complaint.

UF police filed the complaint, which was publicly released Friday, seeking misdemeanor hazing charges against 10 fraternity members. A spokesman for the State Attorney's Office said there is no timetable to determining whether charges would be filed.The five alleged victims attended a Jan. 22 meeting and signed a form expressing interest in joining Alpha Phi Alpha's Theta Sigma chapter, which operates under the sanction of UF. They were told to come to a northwest Gainesville home where six members live, according to the complaint.A person who answered the door of the home Friday said that fraternity members wouldn't comment on the allegations.While at the home, the complaint alleges, pledges were told to do tasks such as washing dishes, cooking food and cleaning the house. They were also allegedly required to memorize and correctly recite information about Alpha Phi Alpha in unison, or receive three to four "thunderslaps."

A photograph obtained by UF police shows red marks on one victim's chest in the shape of hand prints, according to the complaint.Pledges were also allegedly paddled by a flat piece of wood in a initiation that was part of the fraternity's "Birth Night." Pledges were told to stand in line with their buttocks sticking out, the complaint alleges.Each pledge was allegedly paddled nine times initially and returned for three nights, getting paddled more if they didn't correctly answer questions about the fraternity in unison. They were also given additional paddle strikes known as "send-offs" when they left, according to the complaint.Photographs show large, dark bruises on the buttocks of one pledge who also reported scabbing, according to the complaint.Pledges identified nine members as participating in the paddling: Metkel Biene, 22; Chad Billington II, 21; Brandon Daniel, 21; Gregory Davis, 22; Jason Dubery, 23; Dominique Martin, 21; Bryan Mizell, 22; Christoper Jenkins, 22; and Safo Agyemang, 26.

Daniel and Mizell also allegedly struck pledges in the chest. Gary Terrell, 24, was identified by pledges as being the "dean of pledges" who orchestrated the initiation, according to the complaint.All the suspects are UF students except for Agyemang, who is an alumnus, according to the university. All have been trespassed from the campus and two who were working for UF, a student and an alumnus, were terminated this week, UF reported.A UF spokeswoman said students typically are issued interim suspensions in cases involving violence, but federal and state law prevents the discussion of specific cases. UF previously issued an interim suspension against Alpha Phi Alpha.Founded in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first college fraternity established for black students. Following the initial allegations, the fraternity's national organization ordered it to cease and desist all activities. A spokesman with the group didn't return messages seeking comment.

UF police are also investigating a second fraternity accused of hazing that allegedly happened between April 2010 and January 2011, but haven't released details. The hazing allegations follow the death of a Florida A&M University drum major in November due to reported hazing.

UF subsequently formed a hazing task force that is scheduled to meet Monday to consider measures to address hazing such as a Web form to allow anonymous reporting of hazing and plans for a hazing prevention week in September.

Contact Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com. For more stories on the University of Florida, visit www.thecampussun.com.

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